William b



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

W. B. ROSS.

, APPLIANCE FOR TRACTION GABLES.

No. 809,881. Patented Dec. 30, 1884,

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. B. ROSS. APPLIANCE FOR TRACTION GABLES.

No. 309,881. Pate med Dec. 30, 1884.

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UNrrE STATES IVILLIAM B. ROSS, OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

APPLIANCE FOR TRACTION-CABLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 309,881, dated December30, 1884.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, IVILLIAM 13. Ross, of Nashville, in the State ofTennessee, have invented certain Improvements in Appliances forTraction-Cables, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates more particularly to appliances for use inconnection with those endless tractioircables which are designed to betransported from place to place as occasion may require for operatingplows, dredges, cars, and other movable objects, and for impartingmotion to stationary machines.

The improvements relate more particularly to the means for supportingand guiding the cable at points where the direction of movement ischanged; to improved draft devices for connecting a load therewith andfor read ily disconnecting said load; to means whereby the draft devicesare carried around the guiding-pulleys without being disconnectedtherefrom, and to features of minor importance.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents aperspective view of my portable carriage or guide adjusted in positionfor use with a cable traveling around the guide-sheave toward the right.Fig. 2 is a side elevation ofthe same machine as it appears whenreversed and adjusted for use with a cable traveling to the left. Fig. 3is a top plan view of the guide-pulley, cable, and connections duringthe movement of one of the draft de vices past the sheave. Figs. I, 5,and 6 are diagrams illustrating the manner in which the guides act tocarry the draft device past the sheave. Figs. '7 and S are respectivelyaside view and a horizontal section through the coupling of the cable towhich the draft devices are connected. Fig. 9 is a perspective view ofthe draft device, showing the manner in which it is detached from thecable. The full lines show the grapple in posi' tion for detaching fromthe cable. The dotted lines show the position of the parts when the loadis being hauled thereby.

In the operation of traction-cables it is frequently necessary to havethe same extended in a circuitous or irregular course, and itisinconnection with cables thus arranged that my invention is of thegreatest importance, although the improvements may in the main berepresented in Figs. 1 and 2.

applied to cables which extend back and forth in right lines between twodistant points.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the cable, which may be of theordinary character, and be driven by a motor of any suitable form, myinvention having no reference to the means by which the motion isimparted thereto.

In order to maintain and guide the cable, I provide at suitable pointsin its length, and particularly at each bend or corner-that is to say,at each point where the horizontal direc tion of the cable is changed-aportable carriage, B, provided with a sheave or pulley, O, to sustainand guide the cable. The construction of the carriage, which constitutesan important feature of my invention, is plainly A horizontal axle, a,is mounted at its ends in groundwheels 7). Near its middle the axle hassecured firmly thereon two transverse bars or beams, c, lying parallelwith each other and extending both in front and in rear of the axle.Between these arms at the forward end I mount upon a horizontal pivot,d, a bar, (I, on the forward end of which the sheave O is mounted. Tothe rear ends of the bar 0, I connect by a horizontal pivot two uprightbars, 0, the upper ends of which are united by a removable bolt, f, tothe rear end of the bar (Z. The parts united as above constitute ineffect a triangular frame.

In order to permit the form of the frame to be varied, so as to sustainthe sheave at different heights, the bars (1 and c areprovided with aseries of holes to receive the horizontal pivot, the shifting of whichfrom one hole to another has the effect of modifyingthe relativeposition of the various arms. When the cable is to be deflected to theright in the course of its movement, the frame is arranged to supportthe sheave on the upper side of the bar (I, as represented in Fig. 1,and as will be hereinafter more fully explained; butwhen the cable is tobe carried to the left the boltf is withdrawn and the bars 0 revolvedwith the axle until they are brought with the under side uppermost. Thebars (2 and c are next revolved on their pivots, or turned end for end,

and again united by the bolt f, as represented in Fig. 2, the axlebeingat the same time turned end for end and upside down. The

effectof this operation is to reverse the frame, bringing the partstogether on the opposite side of the axle, and bringing the sheave orpulley on the under instead of on the upper side of the bar (1. The samechanges may be effected by removing the pivot and turning the bar d onits longest dimension as an axis and replacing the pivot in the holes asreversed.

In making use of the frame it is anchored adjustably in position at thepoint where the bend or flexion of the cable is to occur. A rope orchain, D, preferably in the form of a loop or sling, is secured aroundthe forward end of the bar (Z, extended thence backward over the rearend of said bar, and downward to a ring or shackle, E,which will beconnected directly or through a chain or rope to a stationary post oranchor, F. A tackle, G, or other adjustable connection, is also extendedfrom the ring or shackle E to a hook or other connecting device, I, atthe lower end of the bar a.

It will be observed that the above method of arranging and'conneetingthe frame with the stationary anchor causes the sheave O to be sustainedin an elevated position when subjected to the strain.

It will be seen that the frame is connected both at its upper and lowersides with the stationary anchor, and that consequently the strain ofthe cable at the forward end will cause the same to assume such positionas to maintain the guiding-sheave O at a proper' elevation.

By lengthening or shortening the tackle G- the position of the frame maybe modified so as to maintain the sheave and cable at a higher or lowerlevel, as may be demanded. As regards the adjustment of the frame tosecure this result, the essential feature of the invention consists inconnecting the same at the upper and lower points with a stationaryanchor, so that by changing the length of one of the connections theinclination of the frame may be varied.

The cable consists, usually, of a number of lengths or sections of wireor other rope having their ends united by shackles or couplings J, whichare constructed in the peculiar manner represented in Figs. 7 and 8 toreceive the draft devices. The ends of the respective sectionsareprovided with eye-pieces h, through each of which there is inserted aU-shaped piece, z, the arms of which are lapped past the arms of thecorresponding parts and connected thereto by transverse bolts j. It willbe observed that the parts i are duplicates of each other, and thattheir arms are lapped past each other in such manner as to leave acentral space for the introduction of the draft device.

The draft device (represented at J) is designed to serve the twofoldpurpose of connecting the car, plow, or other load with the cable and ofpreventing the cable when in action from being twisted. To this end itconsists, essentially, of a shank or body portion,

and so prevent the grapple from passing the sheaves properly. The car orother load is connected with the draft device by means of a rope orchain, 01, or equivalent connection, applied to the rear end of theshank 7.;, so that as the draft device is carried with the cable theload is compelled to follow so long as the ring R remains in theposition shown by dotted lines in Fig. 9. By moving the ring It in thedirection of the arrow, Fig. 9, it will release the end of the shank itfrom the position in which it is shown in the figure, whereupon thedraft-rope will be automatically released.

Referring to Fig. 8, it will be seen that the arm Z of the draft deviceis made of such form that it may be inserted between the two pins j of.the coupling, and that it is notched in the rear edge to embrace theafter pin. It is inserted in the position indicated by dotted lines inFig. 8, and being turned backward to the position which it occupies inaction, and in which it is retained by the strain on the rear end, itsforward edge must bear against the forward pin, j. During thecontinuance of the rearward strain the device is maintained in thecondition represented in Fig. 8, and while it remains in this conditionit is impos sible for a disconnection to occur.

Owing to the fact that the draft device remains in constant connectionwith the cable, it becomes necessary to provide means for guiding saiddevice around the sheave or pulley O. For this purpose I make use of afixed shield or guard, K, having an upper curved edge, 0, and anupturned flange, 1), arranged with respect to the sheave in the mannerrepresented in Figs. 1 and 3, so that the cable in passing the sheavelies between the edge 0 and the flange 1). As the draft deviceapproaches the sheave its arm Z encounters the edge 0, and being carriedforward, and at the same time below the edge 0, it follows that theedge, acting on the outer portion of the arm Z, has the effect ofturning the same toward an upright position, thus revolving the entiredraft device about its longitudinal axis, or, in other words, turningthe same upside down. This motion of the draft device is plainlyrepresented in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6. The inversion is completed at orbefore the instant when the arm Z reaches the sheave, as in Fig. 3, theeffect being that the arm overhangs the sheave in such manner as to passfreely around its edge, the runners or rear arms, m, of the draft deviceresting in the meanwhile'upon the edge 0 and flange 12 in such manner asto IOO IIO

be supported and guided thereby over the sheave. As the parts leave thesheave the draft device escapes in the manner represented by dottedlines in Fig. 3, and on being carried entirely clear of the sheaveimmediately turns back to its original position, this action being duepartly to the position of the'arm l and'in part to the fact that thearms m are curved downward, so that the action of grav ity tends tocause them to assume their normal position.

It will of course be understood that although the arms or runners of thedraft device travel normally on the surface of the ground, they arelifted clear of the ground during their passage over the sheave. Theposition of the guide K with respect to the frame will be variedaccording to the angle formed by the bend in the cable. To permit thisadj ustment the guide is movable around the pivot of the sheave, and issecured in position by means of a brace, N, one end of which is jointedto the frame, while the opposite end is arranged to engage in the edgeof the guide, which is provided, as in Fig. 3, with a series of holesfor the purpose.

The foregoing description has reference to the arrangement of the guidewhen the cable travels around the same toward the right. When the cabletravels in the opposite direction, at which time, it will be remembered,the sheave is on the under sideof the frame, as in Fig. 2, the guide isgenerally unnecessary, since the draft devices will then pass beneathinstead of above the sheave.

When the apparatus is to be transported from place to place, the boltfiswithdrawn and the arms or timbers d and e folded downward in a flatcompact form upon the axle. A series of frames or carriages thusadjusted may be hooked or otherwise connected together end to end andreadily transported in a train from one place to another.

It will be readily understood that the terms right and leftareemployedherein with reference to the draft devices made with theoffset-arm on the side representedin the drawings, and with the cablerunningin the dircction indicated. The draft devices may be constructedwith the offset-arm on the opposite side for use with cables running inthe opposite direction, the guides and other parts being changed tocorrespond. T

The action of the draft device in disengaging from the cable is shown inFig. 9. The dotted line shows the position which the bent lever takesafter turning on the pivot P, the end of the arm Z being below the lineof the body of the bent lever. The resistance offered by the load tendsto turn the lever on the pivot P. This tendency is resisted by the ringIt as long as it remains in the position shown in Figs. 7 and 8. TheringRha's a conical interior, which bears against the pointed end of thelevers at t, and prevents it from falling off 'in the direction of thearrow. The lever and shank touching each other at w must be sprungforcibly together to admit of putting on the ring, and the clastieity ofthe metal holds it on as long as desired, even when there is no loadattached to the draft device.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. Thesupporting-sheave for a traction-cable, in combination with the wheeledframe having the arms 0, d, and a, substantially as described.

2. The sheave supporting frame consisting of the wheeled axle having thearms 0, rigidly attached, the arms (2 and e, pivotally connected toopposite ends of the arms 0, and adjustable means, substantially asdescribed, for connecting the arms 0 and (1, whereby reversal of theparts is permitted.

3. In combination with the wheeled sheavesupporting frame adapted torock or tilt upon its axle, astationary anchor, and connectionsextending therefrom to the upper and lower sides of the frame,respectively, whereby the position of the frame and elevation of thesheave may be modified at will.

4. The sheave O, in combination with the wheeled tilting frame, theanchor F, and connection D, and adjustable connection G.

scribed, to trail on the ground and prevent' the twisting of the cable.

' 9. The draft device having the lateral arm lat the forward end and thearms m at the rear.

10. In combination with the cablecoupling having the opening therein,the draft device consisting of the shank k, the bent lever 8,

said lever, the forward end of the lever being constructed to interlockwith the coupling in the manner described and shown, whereby the draftis caused to prevent its disengagement.

11. A traction-cable provided with an eye or opening having pins orbearing-surfaces j therein, in combination with a draft device having alaterally and backwardly extended end, Z, notched and arranged tointerlock with the pins 7' j, in the manner described.

12. In combination with the supportingframe, the sheave, and the cable,the pivoted guide K, constructed substantially as described, andadjustable devices substantially as shown, for locking said guide indifferent positions.

13.. In combination with the traction-cable In combination with asheave,0,the guide pivoted thereto, andthe locking device for Y and ahorizontal sheave supporting the sa1ne,l a traction device having alaterally-extended arm attached to said cable, and a shield or guardoverlying; the sheave and adapted to support the draft device whilepassing thereover.

14. In combination with a draft-cable and a horizontal sheave supportingthe same, a draft device having a laterally-extended arm connected tothe cable, and a shield overlying the sheave and provided with an edgeadapted to act on the arm of the draft device, substantially asdescribed to effect the inversion of the same while passing the sheave.

15. In combination with the tractiolrcable, the eye-pieces 71 the Ushaped brace 2, con- 7 structed in duplicate and the pinsj uniting saidparts.

16. Ina draft device for use in connection with the traction-cable, thecombination of the shank or draft-bar, the angular arm pivoted theretoand adapted at one extremity to engage the cable, and means,substantially as described, for locking said arm rigidly to the shank.

17. Theshank or draft-bar and the angular arnl pivoted at aninter'mediatepoint in its length to said draft-bar and adapted at oneextremity to engage the cable, in combination with the sliding ring orcollar for looking said parts, substantially as described.

- XVILLIAM B. ROSS. lVitnesses:

D. It. STUBBLEFIELD, J. 0. Ross.

